Introduction banner of Jaye Christie

With more hairstyles than people have hot dinners and a penchant for illustration and oil painting, delve into the wonderful world of our creative lead - Jaye Christie.

How long have you worked at Hampton?
14 years.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
Solving puzzles I think. The core of my job seems to be finding that perfect configuration of word and image that expresses an idea that people will connect with. When you find that certain combination, it’s a sweet feeling.

How did you get into the industry?
I’d been to art college, but it wasn’t until my late 20’s that I realised how I could use my talents in a career I enjoy. A lovely graphic designer called Emma Quinn let me spend a few days working with her in Edinburgh, and I just kind of got hooked.

What's the best piece of advice you've been given?
Hmmm. Maybe don’t just plough on with that first ‘genius’ idea that you think you’ve had! Go have a cup of tea, and rest on it if you can. Fresh eyes and a small dose of self-critical scrutiny will always improve it, I swear.

Who inspires you and why?
Giorgio Morandi. His paintings remind me that there’s magic in the mundane if you care to look at things a certain way. For me, that little nugget makes life super fascinating.

Giorgio Morandi's Still Life painting showing muted palette and bottle forms

Which superpower would you most like to possess & why?

To be able to talk with animals. I think that would be a superpower you could use for the greater good, but also it would just be nice to sit and have a beer with an orangutan and talk about bananas.

If you could learn to do absolutely anything, what would it be?
Tap dancing.

What words of wisdom do you have for someone starting out in a career in the creative industries?
Keep questioning everything – the brief, your ideas, the norms. You’ll learn faster if you ask questions, and it’ll stop you getting into bad habits or stuck in creative rut. Also, embrace your oddness, that’s where all the good ideas come from!

Embrace your oddness, that’s where all the good ideas come from!

Jaye

Let's make something amazing together